Shipping-crate.



PATBNTED PEB.' s. 190s.

C. Q. C. LEIGH. SHIPPING CRATE. APBLIUATION FILED SEPT. s, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED' STATES PATENT CFFICE.

CHARLESA Q. C. LEIGH, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY.

SHIPPING-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,819, dated February 3, 1903.

Application led September 23, 1902. Serial No. 124,539. (No model.)

To (1J/Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES Q. C. LEIGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paducah, in the county of McCracken and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping-Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shipping-crates, and has special reference to a crate or package for use in the shipment of bananas.

The main object of my invention is a provision of a crate or package which is adapted to receive the bananas and is provided with stuffed strips internally arranged to provide soft surfaces, against which abuts the bunch of bananas when standing upright in the crate. By means of these stued strips the bananas are protected and prevented from being bruised in transit, and thus dispenses with the use of straw or other packing, and, further, provides means by which the bunch of bananas is readily placed in or removed from the crate. I further provide the package with a iiexible covering, which when ready for the bananas to be placed within the package is pulled around the exterior of the crate and after the bunch of bananas has been placed in the crate is easily and quickly pulled upward, so as to completely surround the upper end of the bananas, whether it be below' the top ofthe package or projects above.

Another object of my invention'is a provi'- sion of a crate or package which is very simple, inexpensive, and durable in construction, which is easily and quickly packed or unpacked, and which is thoroughly efficient and practical in use.

To attain the various objects, my invention consists of a package or crate embodying novel features of construction, as disclosed herein.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved package with the cover in the proper position to allow a bunch of bananas to be placed in the package. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the package closed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view with the top open, and Fig. 4 is a vertical central sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, Adesignates the solid bottom of the crate, which is made of any desired shape and has secured thereto whose lower ends are secured to the lower in- 4 terior hoop J, secured internally near the lower ends of the vertical panels of the crate. Surrounding the package are any number of bracing-hoops K. These cushions or pads can be secured within the package in any desired manner, as I claim as my invention the employment of such pads arranged interiorly and circumferentially within the package and extending the full or partial length of the package.

From this construction it will be seen that a bunch of bananas can be placed within the crate or package and that the cushions or pads will abut or rest against the bananas and form the desired cushion, so as to prevent the bananas from being bruised or torn from the bunch, and also that by bracing it with a series of strips a series of Ventilating-spaces L are provided.

What I claim as new, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, isv 1. In a shipping-package, the combination of a cylindrical body, a flexible covering having one edge secured rigidly to the exterior at the mouth of the package, and slit cross- Wise so as to fall down and surround the body of the package, and a series of interior cushions having their lower ends connected near the bottom within the package and their upper ends secured to the outer circumference at the mouth of the package between the flexible cover and the package.

2. Ashipping-package comprising a cylindrical body and a series of padded cushions secured within the package near the bottom and having their upper ends secured to the exterior of the mouth of the package.

3. A shipping-package, comprising a body, a series of padded cushions tapering toward both ends and having their lower tapering ends near the bottom of the package and their upper tapering ends secured exteriorly of the mouth of the package, and a retaining-hoop lo secured to the top without the package, the

body of the cushions extending beyond the l interiorl side of the panels so as to form vertical Ventilating-spaces between the cushions and around the bananas when placedl in the package.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.A

CHARLES Q. C. LEIGH.

Witnesses:

R. W. JACOB, J. M. WARTEN. 

